Leaders Botafogo travel to take on fifth-placed Bahia at the Arena Fonte Nova in Brazil’s Serie A fixture on Sunday, 25 August. View our Brazilian Serie A betting tips for the game below.
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Bahia vs Botafogo prediction: Goals a distinct possibility
Key Stats
- 100% of Botafogo’s last four games in all competitions featured over 2.5 goals
- Over 2.5 goals landed in each of Botafogo’s last five matches in Serie A.
- Bahia notched twice in each of their last two Serie A assignments.
- Four of Botafogo’s last five league skirmishes produced action at both ends
Correct score prediction: Bahia 2-2 Botafogo
Botafogo’s last six league matches averaged 4.60 goals per 90 minutes while Artur Jorge’s free-wheeling side also drew 2-2 at Palmeiras in the Copa Libertadores in midweek. Expect more excitement when they visit Bahia.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts given the edge
- HOME: 27/20 (2.35) – 42.6%
- DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
- AWAY: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Bahia have lost just once in five games in Serie A and though they are in strong enough form to give leaders Botafogo a thorough test, their tag as 27/20 favourites to beat the table toppers seems too narrow a price in our opinion.
Title favourites Botafogo have lost only five times in 23 Serie A fixtures this season and the 23/10 odds on them winning on Sunday seem generous in the extreme. View more of our Brazilian football predictions on our latest football tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Bahia unbeaten in three
Bahia beat Botafogo 1-0 in the Copa do Brasil when the teams last met in early August and they are unbeaten in three meetings with Sunday’s opponents overall.
Copa do Brasil 07/08/24
EC Bahia
Botafogo
Copa do Brasil 31/07/24
Botafogo
EC Bahia
Brazil Serie A 05/05/24
Botafogo
EC Bahia
Brazil Serie A 27/08/23
Botafogo
EC Bahia
Brazil Serie A 25/04/23
EC Bahia
Botafogo
Bahia preview: Trio of confirmed absentees
Teixeira Biel, Gilberto and Rezende are all out of action for Bahia while Ademir Santos is rated as doubtful. Aided by a brace from Thaciano, Bahia battled their way to an impressive 2-0 win at Gremio in their last Serie A assignment.
Predicted lineup: Felipe (GK), Arias, Xavier, Kanu, Juba, Alexandre, Ribeiro, Cauly, Lucas, Thaciano, Everaldo
Brazil Serie A 01/09/24
L
Bragantino
2
EC Bahia
1
Copa do Brasil 29/08/24
L
Flamengo
1
EC Bahia
0
Brazil Serie A 25/08/24
D
Botafogo
0
EC Bahia
0
Brazil Serie A 17/08/24
W
Gremio
0
EC Bahia
2
Brazil Serie A 11/08/24
W
Vitoria
0
EC Bahia
2
Botafogo preview: Seven missing for visitors
Botafogo will be without the services of Fernando Marcal, Junior Santos, Carlos Eduardo, Jeffinho, Pablo, Matheus Nascimento and Rafael Da Silva on Sunday, with all seven players currently carrying injuries.
Predicted lineup: John (GK), Ponte, Bastos, Barboza, Cuiabano, Gregore, Freitas, Henrique, Savarino, Almada, Jesus
Brazil Serie A 01/09/24
W
Fortaleza EC
0
Botafogo
2
Brazil Serie A 25/08/24
D
EC Bahia
0
Botafogo
0
Copa Libertadores 22/08/24
D
Palmeiras
2
Botafogo
2
Brazil Serie A 18/08/24
W
Flamengo
1
Botafogo
4
Copa Libertadores 15/08/24
W
Palmeiras
1
Botafogo
2
Player to watch – Jefferson Savarino
Venezuelan winger Jefferson Savarino has been a good source of match-changing moments for Botafogo this season and the 27-year-old has scored four goals and created three more in Serie A this term.
Savarino a menace in the flank
Savarino’s running power has caused plenty of problems for teams this season and while he isn’t the most efficient dribbler, his intelligent use of space tends to put him into plenty of good positions. Savarino has been averaging 1.70 shots and 2.50 key passes per game in Serie A this season.
